Wyoming

Cowboys and cowgirls roam the wide open ranges of Wyoming, riding horses and rounding up cattle. It's not for show - it's for real. They work and live on ranches much as their ancestors did. In Wyoming, it's simply a way of life. The cowboy is a prevalent figure here wherever you go: at rodeos in Cheyenne and Casper, in working ranches, in shops that sell authentic boots and hats, in museums, in poetry, even on license plates.

But of course, there's more to Wyoming. There are the Arapaho and Shoshone, one-time enemies now living together in harmony on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Cultural centers for each tribe offer a glimpse into the people's rich history and time-honored traditions.

Wyoming is a place of firsts. In 1869, it became the first state to grant women the right to vote; for this reason it's called The Equality State. Truly an equal opportunity state, Wyoming was the first to have a woman justice of the peace, a woman bailiff, and a woman governor. Wyoming's magnificent Yellowstone became the United States' very first national park in 1872; later, the first national forest and first national monument were designated here.

A place where the land reveals a distinctly rugged beauty, Wyoming offers exciting recreational opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. You can climb mountains in spectacular Grand Teton National Park, catch trout in Flaming Gorge Reservoir, or photograph elk in the Bighorn Mountains. And if it suits your fancy, you can even put on a pair of boots and learn how to ride a horse from a bona fide Wyoming cowboy or cowgirl.